Ivan Kharchenkov 6'7 2025 SF Has Committed To ARIZONA!

[arxpert]

Arizona can't have 8 lottery picks in a single season.

You don't need 8 Lottery Picks to lose talent.

That comment is a giant error of syntax.

Tommy can and will likely lose 8 players though. That would be on the low end of my estimation.

Doesn't mean he can't continue to backfill the team with whatever NBA Africa is spitting out or whatever Putin will allow to be sent over.

The key is to not actually become St Mary's or Gonzaga in the sense of having 8 International Players that are actually the foundation of the team while ignoring American players in the process.

If Tommy is doing that, then we shouldn't have left the Pac-Whatever it is now. The Big12 is not that type of Conference. Tommy needs to be able to recruit from California, Florida, Texas, The DMV (Most underrated serious talent area in the Nation), as well as New York and of course ARIZONA.

[KansasCityCats]

I think Lloyd has found a nice mix of talent over the past few years:

Burries, Bryant and James (Cali), Peat, Boswell, Anderson and Stephen (AZ), Aristode (Netherlands/New Hampshire), Gueye and Martinez (Spain), Lewis (TX), Murauskas and Krivas (Lithuania), Veesaar (Estonia) and Borovicanin (Serbia).

Slightly more than half of our recruits are high-end American talents (not including the transfers, which were 100% local).

I'm excited to see how the staff plays our diverse lineup.  The Cats could be really big OR really small, depending on which guys earn playing time.  The tough non-con schedule will be a roller coaster.

[arxpert]

I'm excited to see how the staff plays our diverse lineup. 

This is said by many people every year. Not impressed at the moment.

[mvpreed2]

If only.

But also, if he does retain, then he can't recruit. So it's a double edged sword.

Yes, you are right.
I should have chose my wording more carefully.
Let me see if I can explain it better and use the 2025-26 roster as reference points:

At its peak, the top 2-3 prospects at Arizona are going to leave early for the NBA (Burries/Peat).
It is not a matter of IF they leave, but WHEN will they leave?
The next 2-3 prospects at Arizona are expected to leave early, but they might stay another year or two depending on a handful of factors (Aristode/Krivas).

My comment about retention is focused more on prospects 7th to 10th on the roster.
These are the ones expected to stay at least three years, and be the glue guys and role players that fill the roles/gaps surrounding these younger NBA prospects consistently leaving early.
Given the right season, these guys could leave early and test the waters because they might not get another chance to get drafted, so they have to strike while the iron is hot (Awaka/Dell'Orso/James).
The rest of the prospects on the roster, you need to keep them for continuity/development in hopes that (1) they could develop into something special, or (2) they level out the class sizes by not being forced to take 5-6 prospects in a class because you have 4-5 year prospects on the roster.
Anderson/Borovicanin/Muraskas/Stephen are some of the ones that fit this tier.
#BearDown

[KansasCityCats]

I'm excited to see how the staff plays our diverse lineup.

This is said by many people every year. Not impressed at the moment.

I'm excited to see how the staff plays our diverse lineup.

This is said by many people every year. Not impressed at the moment.

Every other offseason, Arizona fans are "close" and have a pretty good grasp on the start line lineup. This year, we truly have no idea who starts, outside of Bradley and "probably" Krivas.

With multiple high-end freshmen on the roster, I'm intrigued to see who can play defense, which is typically the determining factor in earning minutes with this staff.

[arxpert]

My comment about retention is focused more on prospects 7th to 10th on the roster.
These are the ones expected to stay at least three years, and be the glue guys and role players that fill the roles/gaps surrounding these younger NBA prospects consistently leaving early.

I hear you. I'm merely saying Tommy has a Ph.D in making all of those guys want to leave Arizona after sitting around doing nothing for a full season. I am capable of being surprised. Let's see who he can actually retain.

[arxpert]

This year, we truly have no idea who starts, outside of Bradley and "probably" Krivas.

If Koa Peat and Burries aren't Day 1 Starters at 30min+ per game then Tommy will never get a Top Recruit again. That is no question at all. Will Tommy do the right thing and play Koa at SF? No idea, but that decision decides if Awaka or Dell Orso will get first crack at starting. My theory would be Tommy will bring Awaka in off the bench so as to have a fluid rotation since SloMo can't play heavy minutes. Dell Orso can play "6th Man" in multiple positions including. All he needs is an unselfish guy to drive in and dish the ball to his spot so he can let it rip.

The rest of the rest will have to battle it out for the 7th and 8th slots. Tommy isn't playing 9. Can't see it.

So pick who you want between Nelson, Aristode, James, Ivan, Sidi, Mamut or whoever else we have. 2 of them will be in the mix for minutes. I lean James and Aristode if he is anything like his hype is building. Nelson with the Conrad role of deep depth. Tommy dare not troll Bryce James nor Lebron by not playing him.

The rest are just here to tour America for their transfer options and forbid injury from my POV. If Tommy can retain and develop them that would be cool for a change. I cannot hold my breath though.

[KansasCityCats]

Last season, you mentioned that if Bryant doesn't get more minutes, Lloyd would never get another 5* prospect. You also mentioned that Lloyd would never play 8+ guys (and we had 9 that averaged approx 20 minutes).

Deja vu.

[Cactus🌵Cat]

I'm high on Ivan. I like his measurables and think his game is a good fit for the big12. I think this is a very good get for my t. lloyd and easily my favorite international of the class.

[Cactus🌵Cat]

The last Ivan to play @ Arizona.